The incidence of diabetes mellitus (commonly referred to as just diabetes) is increasing day by day around the globe. Modern western diet and lifestyle is challenging our bodies’ abilities to cope. Excess sugar and low nutrient foods, low levels of physical activity and highly stressful ways of living are causing diabetes.

As the oldest medicine, Ayurveda provides information to assist in the treatment of almost all diseases. Diabetes is considered a major disease (maharoga) since it affects all parts of the body and every cell of the human physiology.

Type 1 diabetes, commonly known as juvenile diabetes since it is mostly diagnosed in children, is an autoimmune condition in which the body destroys its own insulin -producing cells and ceases to be able to naturally regulate blood sugar levels. Without the capacity to handle blood sugar, the body is starved for nutrients and is unable to convert sugar into energy in the cells.

Type 2 diabetes is a type of insulin-resistant condition where even though the body may produce insulin, it is impaired in its ability to absorb it into the cells where it can do its work of converting sugars into energy. Type 2 diabetes is commonly caused by rich diet, and low physical activity. It is considered to a major part of the obesity epidemic.

Ayurvedic medicine sees diabetes caused by doshic imbalances. It arises in two ways: (1) aggravation of the vata dosha due to tissue depletion, and/or (2) obstruction of the channels (srotas) caused by excess kapha dosha and fatty tissue.

Physical and mental causes

• Sedentary lifestyle
• Lack of physical activity
• Excessive sleeping and resting
• Kapha-increasing lifestyle (slow, sluggish, unenergetic in mind and body)
• Stress, grief, fear and worry
• Genetic disposition

• Unwholesome, improper or heavy diet
• Excessive consumption of milk and milk products
• Excess consumption of meat, especially meat from animals living in water and marshy regions (because this type of meat increases kapha)
• Food, drink and dishes prepared from young grains (e.g. freshly harvested rice is hard to digest, whereas 1-2-year-old rice is lighter and easier to digest)
• Excessive sugar and sugar products
• White bread, white flour, unhealthy carbohydrates

Clinical symptoms of diabetes mellitus

• Excessive urination
• Urine similar to honey — sweet and astringent
• Cloudy (turbid) urine with suspended particles
• Pallor (paleness) and dryness of the body
• General debility and weakness
• Bad body odour
• Emaciation and weak sexual interest

Ayurvedic management of diabetes

Diabetes mellitus comes under the category of rich people disease. It is easily controlled through Ayurveda diet, lifestyle, herbs and treatments. Ayurveda can also treat acute symptoms of the disease to bring relief and moderation. Ayurvedic management of diabetes depends upon the mind-body constitution of the individual and the overall strength of the person with the condition.

If an individual is obese, the ayurvedic approach is to reduce fats and eliminate cellular toxins. It is important to increase physical activity, with an emphasis on yoga and light cardio exercise. Fasting therapy using vegetable juice, water, or a mono-diet of kitchari, depending on the person’s constitution and requirements, is also recommended.

• Jambhul (Eugenia jambolana)
• Bitter gourd/bitter melon (Momordica charantia)
• Bel (Aegle marmelos)
• Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum)
• Turmeric (Curcuma long)
• Neem (Azadirachta Indica)
• Meshashringi – Gymnema sylvestre Br.
• Shilajatu – Asphaltum punjabinum
• Guggulu – Commiphora mukul
• Chandrapravati
• Shilajeet
• Triphala
• Varanadi Kashaya
• Karela
• Triphala Guggulu